Britain’s trains come in last in Euro league for fares and efficiency

Britain’s railways are at the bottom of the league for fares, efficiency and comfort compared with other European countries, according to a union-commissioned study.

Trains in Britain have been slammed as ‘under-performing’ (Picture: AP)

Our rail services are less comfortable, slower, more inefficient and more expensive than those elsewhere in Europe.

The frequency of trains was the only area in which Britain performed better than France, Germany, Spain and Italy, says the study by think-tank Just Economics.

âIn terms of bang for buck, not only does the UK come bottom of the index of outcomes but it also spends a relatively large amount of money to achieve this woeful result. This means it also comes bottom of the value for money league,â said the report.

âOur under-performing railways carry a considerable cost both for passengers and for the public purse. A more affordable, more comfortable and faster railway would generate a staggering Â£324billion in social value (Â£9.2billion a year) between now and 2050.â

Bob Crow, leader of the Rail, Maritime and Transport union, which commissioned the study, said: âThis research shows that the failures of privatisation are costing the UK hundreds of billions of pounds in social value.â

The government should look at the social benefits of a publicly owned railway, he added.

The Association of Train Operating Companies rejected the findings, saying: âDecades of decline on the railways have been reversed since privatisation in the mid 90s. Passenger numbers, satisfaction and punctuality are all close to or at record levels thanks to the time and money invested in improving services.â